READ Psalm 119:57–64.
57 You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.
GOD’S LOVE FILLS THE EARTH.
The whole “earth is filled with [God’s] love” (verse 64). God created the world and cares for it in love. Jesus says we can trust God because he cares even for the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26) and loves everything he has made (Psalm 145:9). It is because he loves all people he created that he wants them to receive also his redeeming love. “I take no pleasure in the death of anyone. . . . Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32). It is important to neither think God loves only believers nor to think he loves everyone in the world in exactly the same way. How should we respond to such a loving God? We should align all parts of our lives with God’s Word (verses 59–60).
Prayer:
Lord, I praise you that you have always loved me, but I praise you that you opened my heart to receive your saving love as well. “Your sovereign mercy called me and taught my opening mind; the world had else enthralled me, to heavenly glories blind.” Thank you for your grace. Amen.
Amen